Jinn were created before mankind. Therefore, they exist before the creation of Adam and Eve. Jinn's origins is fire while mankind is from clay. Like men, Jinn can die.

Jinn are from distant islands beyond the sea. They are able to travel great distances to interact with mankind. Some Jinn are good while some are not. In most tween and teen fiction, they are malicious creatures. Yet, Jinn like mankind know: right from wrong. They know and understand: truth from fiction. Also, they know: good from bad.

The Jinn character experiences the feelings: envy and greed. These two traits bring trouble to mankind's existence. Mankind is usually caught in the Jinnís greedy struggle for power. This is in many tween and teen fiction to increase the tension in the hero(es) life.

In children's books, the Jinn character is strong and evil. So strong its power can enter protected areas. They are magical entities. Of course, they are a part of the dark, magical realm. The Jinn character, Ifrit, in Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's book, The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming, fits this profile.